NSW anglers can cast a line for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch in NSW waters from Thursday 1 September, as the annual three-month closed season concludes.
Acting Program Leader Fish Stocking & Enhancement Operations Matthew McLellan said the closure period is important to protect the native species.
“The native sportfish have now completed their annual spawning and migration, which occurs each year over late autumn and early winter,” Mr McLellan said.
“A zero-bag limit is put in place every year in estuaries and rivers below impoundments between 1 June and 31 August, to allow the fish to form schools and migrate to parts of estuaries with the correct salinity, to trigger spawning.
“From Thursday 1 September, anglers can take both Australian Bass and Estuary Perch, however they are reminded that strict bag limits do apply.”
Mr McLellan said a bag limit of 2 and possession limit of 4 applies to Australian Bass and Estuary Perch, either for a single species or a combination of species.
“When fishing in rivers, only one fish is permitted to be over 35 centimeters in length,” Mr McLellan said.
“The department enforces the annual four month zero-bag limit because during their spawning season, the schools of fish can be vulnerable to fishing.
“Now, in spring, most fish will have returned to their warmer weather feeding grounds higher up in the catchment.
“After the spawning season, we are expecting it to be a great fishing season for both species, so we encourage fishers to wet a line this summer.
“The great news is the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will commence the stocking of Australian Bass during September and October in impoundments across NSW.”
Information on freshwater fishing rules can be found on the Fishsmart app or online at . Fishing laws are designed to protect, conserve and improve our fisheries resources for our future generations.
Any suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported through the FishSmart app, the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or via the online report form here – .
